Opening

Attendance- David Taylor, Ryan Bell, Aaron Senesac, Julie Clark from SWCD; Craig Greenwood from Warren County Commissioners; George Reger from ISDA; Diane Scheurich from FSA; Amy Stewart from NRCS. David called the meeting to order at 8:44 a.m. at the USDA Service Center.  Zach Dimmich and Roger Sparenberg were not present.

Monthly Documents- After review of monthly documents, Ryan made a motion to approve the monthly documents of April Minutes, Funds Ledger, APV, Bank Statement, Trust Indiana, and Bank recon.  Aaron seconded the motion, motion carries.

Partner Updates

NRCS- Amy Stewart informed the board about EQIP pre-approvals, CSP Applications, CRP enrollments and re-enrollments.  As well as the MOU is still on hold at this time due to details needed to be included.  Amy talked about the LWG Ranking, Julie will email to the board and other officials as well as interested citizens. Julie will also advertise for this event and schedule to have a ranking meeting potentially in July or August.  Amy also asked about a contractor listing for pollinators and native plantings. Aaron referred to the listing on the Tippecanoe County SWCD website and Ryan advised to get something similar on the Warren County SWCD website. Julie informed the board the current contractor listing is more for construction of waterways and ponds and needs updated as well.

FSA- Diane Scheurich handed out a listing of deadlines and updates.  Diane stated we are officially out of the drought.  She also informed the board of an incident of a foreign person who has come in the office multiple times asking about what the USDA can do for him and his land in a 3rd World country, Diane informed him the FSA could provide him with pdf’s and documents of what is available in general, however, the Warren County FSA services Warren County, and he would have to go the local USDA Service center in his country since programs vary across different countries.  He was agitated on numerous occasions about the information available, Diane reported him to the State Office and Homeland Security since he was from a 3rd world country.

ISDA- George Reger stated the ISDA finished the soil sampling program for the current year, however will start them again in September. He asked to keep having people to sign up on the ISDA website.  Funds for the soil sampling through ISDA is scheduled through 2030.  George also informed the board ISDA is not hiring and are currently short staffed.  George mentioned the tillage transects have been accomplished throughout the state of Indiana.

Warren County Commissioners- Craig Greenwood updated the board on a timekeeping ordinance the county has passed and implemented.  Julie will be required to clock in and account for her time without going over 40 hours a week, however the work week is scheduled to be 35 hours a week.  Any extra time which is frowned upon greatly, will be considered flex-time.  Julie mentioned Jill Wilson has already gone over it with her and cleared up any questions.  Craig mentioned the commissioners are getting questions about the Big Shawnee Watershed project and concerns of it being a volunteer project or mandatory and if it is considered a land grab of sorts from the SWCD. Julie informed Craig it is completely voluntary to participate and it is a data gathering project for the streams and tributaries draining into the Wabash River on both sides of the river in Warren and Fountain Counties. Craig also informed the board the Highway department has been working on cleaning ditches and road tiles out for drainage purposes.

New Business

CWI Grant- Julie informed the board, she is still working on details and research for the CWI grant application. More discussion to come in future months.  The CWI grant application is due September 3, 2026.   

Fish orders- The district has received 3 orders so far, for which the fishery has stated they will deliver all the order this year at no additional charge.

Board Leadership Program- Julie reminded the board to sign up for the BLP in Indianapolis on June 12, 2026 and encouraged all the board to attend this no matter how long on the board.

Old Business

Monitor for conference room- tabled

Warren County 4-H Fair- Big Tent-Schedule- Julie will send out a text message for each of the board members to help man the booth each night of the fair.  Julie has ordered numerous promotional items for the fair as well.

Mapping Solutions 2027 Plat Books- The board is on schedule to have a new plat book as of December or January for 2027.

River Friendly Farmer Award- Aaron recommended Adam and Greg Bell for this award; however, Ryan thought of other people in the community, but needs more time to make sure of a few things.   

Friend of Conservation Award- Aaron nominated Gene Fowler for this award, with a second from Ryan, all approved.

Trees and 4-H Youth Livestock Day- David and Julie were in attendance for this event.  And there has been a lot of positive feedback from the table. We delivered over 100 trees to the grade schools for which they were excited to hand out to the students.   

Dates

May 1 - Fish Orders are due

May 5 - County Offices closed for Election Day

May 7 - Fish delivery

May 13 - Region Meeting with Nathan Stoelting in Putnam Co.

May 13 - Geology Tour with Big Pine Creek Watershed

May 19 - Big Shawnee Water testing

May 20 - Region meeting with Geneva

May 25 - Memorial Day Office Closed

May 26 - Grace in office

June 1 - Hoosier River Watch at Hanging Rock Christian Camp

June 3 - Field Day with Benton Co. SWCD

June 10 - Warren Co. SWCD June Board Meeting

June 12 - Board Leadership Program at Indiana Farm Bureau Building Indy 10-2 -June 1 is the deadline to sign up for this event.  David, Aaron, and Julie are planning to attend.

June 15 – Big Shawnee Watershed Steering Committee meeting at 10 am in Covington

Meeting adjourned at 10:16 am.